The national census is facing significant challenges and delays, according to Raymond Phillips, Director of the Central Statistics Office.
In a recent interview with Government Information Services, Phillips revealed that the census, which began in late July or early August last year, is only about halfway complete. The process, initially expected to take six months, has been hampered by various obstacles.
Other challenges include threats to enumerators, gated properties limiting access, and the presence of dogs in yards.
Addressing privacy concerns, Phillips assured that data collected via tablets is securely stored in a password-protected database with limited access.
Against the backdrop of these setbacks, Phillips declined to provide a specific completion date for the census, emphasizing the need for increased public cooperation.
He reminded that the census is crucial for decision-making, policy formation, and resource allocation in the British Virgin Islands.